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Review ATC SCM 40 A floorstanders.....finally

I thought I knew.  I thought I knew all about imaging, dynamics, resolution, PRaT, all the audiophile buzz words allowing one into the coded audiophile secret society pontifications.  I got schooled.  It’s called ACTIVE.  Everthing I’ve been yearning for has been solved with my new ATCs.  They just do musical reproduction with immediacy.  The attack is instantanious.  Bad recording, bad reproduction.  Great recording, great reproduction.  Period.  Fin.  Ende.

I’ve progressed through some fairly serious talent.  Great equipment I’ve enjoyed over the decades: always the journey, never having arrived at the ultimate destination.  I do not know why it took so long to depart the traditional souce, preamp, monoblocks, cabling and transducers formula.  I hope this encourages others to at least consider leaving the world of so many pieces and cabling.

System:  Naim UnitiServe with unknown serious external PSU, Nordost Valhalla II digital cable, Mojo Audio Mystique V3 DAC, Manley Neo Classic preamp with Takatsuki 300B tubes.  Decware ICs, Patrick Cullum Crossover II PCs, Furman IT Reference 15i power conditioner.  All components sit on Quadraspire Reference X stand.  Wireworld Silver Elipse 8 RCA to XLR interconnects from Manley 300B to ATCs.  Isoacoustics Gaia II footers.  I’m really there for now.  Tchau
celtic66

Showing 5 responses by celtic66

celtic66 OP
990 posts
 
Correction:  Patrick Cullen PCs.  Sorry for that.
celtic66 OP
990 posts
 
Mktmkt,

I did not have the opportunity to listen first.  I researched exhaustively before ordering and the wait was 4 months.  I also allowed the dealer to keep them for another 2 as a courtesy to demo to others, so 6 months before taking them.

The effortless generation of music is uncanny.  I've owned Merlins, SA, Coincident, Manley Mahi Mahi mono blocks, Sugden A21SE and many other quality pieces.  All pale in comparison.  I wish I had made this one time buy a couple of years ago.  Although, I did enjoy owning dozens of pieces throughout the years.  Ciao 
celtic66 OP
990 posts
 
I've never listened to either the SCM 150 or 50, but am aware of their physical size.  I can physically move my ATC 40s upstairs and set them up.  Doubtful with the other two.  The price of pursuing perfection.....back problems.
celtic66 OP
990 posts
 
tomic601,

Thanks for the HRS damper suggestion.  Will follow up.  I have a Pardo PSU and it made a terrific difference.  Then somebody on A'gon had a different PSU and claimed it smoked the Pardo he also used.  Bought it used  from him and he was dead on.  It was crazy better.  Sometimes I hate this hobby.  There are no markings on the casework.  Ciao

Jon_5912,

They do lose some sparkle at low volume, but then don't most systems?  I will not say that they got flat, just less impressive.  But at moderate listening levels it all comes together.  I have not experienced my greatest fear, that of an overaggressive midrange.  Everything is so balanced, almost sweet.  That may be the Manley Neo Classic.  Ciao
celtic66 OP
990 posts
 
mktmkt,

I've no idea.  Perhaps someone else knows and can contribute.
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